I'm going to discuss the process Rick and I've been using to make Crank-baits, Twitch-baits, and Trolling Baits. I'm hoping this will help Tom, Bryan, and other bait builders understand exactly what we're doing, and additionally, I hope this will generate new thought and ideas for everyone. We may have the coolest hobby on the planet, having built Musky-baits that have actually caught Trophy Muskies!!! This years goals are; to improve the process, expand our finish by air-brushing over Chrome, and hopefully catch a nice Musky!!
Wood: We've had our best success using Clear/Select Pine which can be purchased at Home Depot, Menard's, etc. Cedar is also an option - and we've observed that our rattle chambers are noticeably louder in Cedar, which has me considering Cedar for extreme dark water conditions.
Planing wood: The 1"x 3" Select Pine boards are 3/4" thick and we've found that planing the boards to approximately 9/16" provides a superior action when compared to 3/4" thick baits..... And, we can easily work within the 9/16" space, having sufficient room for adding lead weight, thru wire construction or screw eyes, glass eyes and/or rattle chambers. This small task of planing the wood has improved our baits action immensely.
Cutting the slot for the Lip/Diving Bill: This is the most critical phase of Crank-bait making - cutting the lip slot. If done incorrectly the bait will never run properly, and correctly means the Lip is a perfect 90 degrees to the bait body. So, we cut the planed board to a pre determined bait length using a Powered Miter Box (example a 10" bait is cut at 10.5"). We then trace our bait pattern onto the wood keeping the nose or front of the bait closest to the front edge of the board - and the bottom or belly of the bait closest to the bottom edge of the board. Next we rotate the board (bait belly or bottom up) on the table of a Radial Arm Saw - adjust the stops, and also the squareness to the actual blade of the radial arm saw - adjust the saw blade cutting depth - perform test cuts and evaluate,,,, - and then actually slot the baits!!!! I cannot emphasize enough how important this phase is and we're always open to discovering and learning a more accurate way.
Drilling holes: The best time to drill holes is while the bait is still within a square or rectangle block form. We use a Drill Press to drill all holes for installing glass eyes, rattle chambers, weight chambers, and screw eyes. Again, this is all done while the bait is in block form.
Cutting and Shaping: The baits shape has already been traced onto the wood, and can now be cutout using a Scroll-saw or Band-saw. We cut outside the line, and then sand the edges smooth on a Bench Sander having both a sanding belt and sanding disc with 90 degree table. The smoother the edges are, the better the outcome of the next step - Router #1. We use a 1/4" Round Over bit in a Table Mounted Router to round all edges of the bait body. Rough sand (150 grit) before sealing.
Propionate Wood Sealer: After all the shaping, drilling, and slotting have been done - we soak the baits in propionate wood sealer for 30 minutes - dry them - scuff them lightly and dip them in Propionate a second time. If you're using screw eye construction, seal the baits now. If you're using thru wire construction, seal the baits immediately after you've place the wire within the slot. Do not fill the wire slot with epoxy until after sealing with Propionate.
Thru Wire Construction: We use another Table Mounted Router #2 with a 66 kerf bit to slot the entire length of the bottom/belly of the bait and accept .051 wire. Wires are formed on pre made jigs prior to inserting into the bait. We've currently made jigs for 10" and 14" baits. This is also the time to melt and add Lead Weight into the bait. And also the time to install the Lip/Diving Bill which is the second most critical aspect of Crank-bait making - placing the Lip in the exact center of the Crank-bait body. The wire slot is later filled with an epoxy (West System - two part mix - resin & slow hardener) and usually requires two applications. Thru wire construction adds a lot of labor, time, and cost compared to using screw eyes - however thru wire baits are much easier to tune and the wire will never fail.
Screw Eyes: Using screw eyes simplifies the bait making process substantially. You simply go from Propionate Wood Sealer to installing the Lip/Diving Bill and then install the Screw Eyes with epoxy.
Sanding: When rough sanding/shaping use 150 grit sand paper, finish sanding use 220 grit sand paper, and after the baits are primed use 400 grit sand paper - I lightly wet sand my baits after they've been primed.
I hope I've provided enough detail to stimulate your thought regarding our method, and other possibilities. We welcome everyone's idea as to how we can improve our process of Garage Bait Building.
Thanks for reading!!
PS. Tom, your painting is inspiring to say the least!!! Thanks for letting us post your pics.
Saturday, January 28, 2012
Friday, January 27, 2012
Garage Baits , Musky Lures for 2012
Well the Harper Show has come and gone, Frank and I did manage to make the rounds. As with everything, you could see how the economy has affected our hobby. There were a few cool baits, Cow Girl had some smaller blades and flashabou tails that are ideal for early spring or a smaller presentation, A few of these will be put into the works, they didn't have the colors I wanted in the little ones, so I will buy the flashabou and make our own. There are also a lot of nice soft plastics, I will have to see if that's something I want to try doing. Frank did get a few pics of some nice paint jobs I will also try to do. All in all, it still remains a force in driving me to do and create more, I love it.
So, other than the one offs that I make, I will start my plan for production.
The group baits are usually about a half inch thick and flat sided, no matter what the length is. This is really due to the action on the fourteen and ten inch baits we make and like. Last year was the first time we made smaller and different shaped baits as a group. Al and Mike still have 80 baits unfinished !!
I will start making some new patterns for six and eight inchers and stick with the old tens, twelves and fourteens. Consider what type of lip design is appropriate for each and put my list together. The other consideration will be if I am going to do thru wire or screw in . Might have to fire up the die grinder and do lips and bend wire.
I think there will be a need for more chrome this year, just because it's cool and the paint detail at the end is minimal. That's not to say the prep work for a good chrome job is easy by any standards.There will also be a strong presence of prism tape, it worked well last year, and has great flash. Saw a lot of it at the show,we made ours in the beginning of 2011? This just goes to prove again, original thought last about three minutes in the fishing world.
As a group, we will set our goals and determine the needs for wood and other supplies and set the wheel in motion.
I did meet Tom and Bryan at the Harper show, two guys who are interested in building some Garage Baits with us this year. Not sure how this will play out , they burn things down for a living?? I am preparing and have ample fire extinguishers on hand. I would like to share some photos of Tom's paint jobs that he had sent Frank.
To me, this is what it is all about. You take what you have and make it something different. The art of customization. Tom, definitely has a step up on most of us with the ability to paint his thought. I hope that Tom and Bryan do join in this year so there becomes a platform for total creativity. Looking forward to a interesting spring making Garage Baits.
We have to set a date soon for everyone to meet, and put the list together for new materials. Not sure if Mike and Al need any wood!
(Keep it in the Water)
So, other than the one offs that I make, I will start my plan for production.
The group baits are usually about a half inch thick and flat sided, no matter what the length is. This is really due to the action on the fourteen and ten inch baits we make and like. Last year was the first time we made smaller and different shaped baits as a group. Al and Mike still have 80 baits unfinished !!
I will start making some new patterns for six and eight inchers and stick with the old tens, twelves and fourteens. Consider what type of lip design is appropriate for each and put my list together. The other consideration will be if I am going to do thru wire or screw in . Might have to fire up the die grinder and do lips and bend wire.
I think there will be a need for more chrome this year, just because it's cool and the paint detail at the end is minimal. That's not to say the prep work for a good chrome job is easy by any standards.There will also be a strong presence of prism tape, it worked well last year, and has great flash. Saw a lot of it at the show,we made ours in the beginning of 2011? This just goes to prove again, original thought last about three minutes in the fishing world.
As a group, we will set our goals and determine the needs for wood and other supplies and set the wheel in motion.
I did meet Tom and Bryan at the Harper show, two guys who are interested in building some Garage Baits with us this year. Not sure how this will play out , they burn things down for a living?? I am preparing and have ample fire extinguishers on hand. I would like to share some photos of Tom's paint jobs that he had sent Frank.
We have to set a date soon for everyone to meet, and put the list together for new materials. Not sure if Mike and Al need any wood!
(Keep it in the Water)
Sunday, January 8, 2012
Harper Musky Show, Photos and Patterns
This could possibly be the high-lite for the winter months. The Harper Musky Show ! We go, we look, we buy. For anybody who really hasn't committed to the idea of making there own baits, this is a one stop opportunity .Bring a camera and take some photos of what you like.Doesn't really matter if it is doable or not , take a pic.
What you think isn't workable is as important as what you think is.
It's the time to let thought be the creator.
Download your pics to your computer and look at them, decide what you want to create or duplicate.
With a good IMAGE VIEWER there are endless sizes and colors you can view. I have been using some freeware called Irfanview , I like it a lot for what I do. http://www.irfanview.com/ If you do download it check out the plugins they will add to it's ability .
The viewer has an option that allows you to change colors ( within it's spectrum ) to different colors. This comes in handy when you are looking at paint ideas.
Otherwise the re-size photo option lets you re-size your pic to your needs.
Once you make the decision to make something , you now have it in front of you. Re-size it accordingly for the bait you want , and there's your template for cutting.
I should have noted that the 12" and 5" baits in Ricks 2011 baits-finished are photo finished.The small perch and the 12" perch and walleye were finished using a gift wrapping paper with the image printed on it using this program.The opaque color of the paper disappears when cleared, and I just added a little paint.
Even if you are only going to buy, take your camera, take some pics and think about making your own.
As Frank said in an earlier post, There is nothing like catching that fish on a bait you made.I also make all of my leaders. It just makes me feel better.
The time is upon us to plan for next year,make the most of an opportunity to have some fun.
Drop us a line and let us know where you are headed.
The only wrong question , is the one that's not made.
Keep it in the water.
What you think isn't workable is as important as what you think is.
It's the time to let thought be the creator.
Download your pics to your computer and look at them, decide what you want to create or duplicate.
With a good IMAGE VIEWER there are endless sizes and colors you can view. I have been using some freeware called Irfanview , I like it a lot for what I do. http://www.irfanview.com/ If you do download it check out the plugins they will add to it's ability .
The viewer has an option that allows you to change colors ( within it's spectrum ) to different colors. This comes in handy when you are looking at paint ideas.
Otherwise the re-size photo option lets you re-size your pic to your needs.
Once you make the decision to make something , you now have it in front of you. Re-size it accordingly for the bait you want , and there's your template for cutting.
I should have noted that the 12" and 5" baits in Ricks 2011 baits-finished are photo finished.The small perch and the 12" perch and walleye were finished using a gift wrapping paper with the image printed on it using this program.The opaque color of the paper disappears when cleared, and I just added a little paint.
Even if you are only going to buy, take your camera, take some pics and think about making your own.
As Frank said in an earlier post, There is nothing like catching that fish on a bait you made.I also make all of my leaders. It just makes me feel better.
The time is upon us to plan for next year,make the most of an opportunity to have some fun.
Drop us a line and let us know where you are headed.
The only wrong question , is the one that's not made.
Keep it in the water.
Sunday, January 1, 2012
Google Earth. See your favorite spots with satellite imaging.
I had recently put Google Maps on as a page, it should have been Google Earth. I use it to identify fishing spots, it is a great tool for this. Except as it was posted, it did not give all the features. The satellite view is quite impressive for what I was looking at. You can select your own options, like roads, parks, earth and even a different time line, history.
With a lot of the areas, when zoomed in with satellite, you can identify the deep edge on a lot of structure. It also gives GPS coordinates, and you are able to find boat landings and more The more I play around with it the more I like it. If you do not already have it download it for yourself and enjoy
http://www.google.com/earth/download/ge/agree.html
Keep it in the Water.
With a lot of the areas, when zoomed in with satellite, you can identify the deep edge on a lot of structure. It also gives GPS coordinates, and you are able to find boat landings and more The more I play around with it the more I like it. If you do not already have it download it for yourself and enjoy
http://www.google.com/earth/download/ge/agree.html
Keep it in the Water.
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